I would really like to learn more about the camper mounting system; does it consist of hidden spring loaded turnbuckles, and do they need attention during travels off pavement? Pics or drawings would be great, but I understand why they may be proprietary information.
How hard or easy is their access, for a quick "reassurance check" as you set up camp in the evening, to make sure everything is secure?
Does the camper float on the tray, and if so, how about wear and moisture issues due to the movement and gritty stuff migrating between the two major shifting parts? Is the bottom sealed, for example, by a rubber perimeter strip that should be replaced at some point?
At what interval should an owner remove the camper to clean and inspect those areas (the tray top and the camper bottom)?
One thing that bothers me more than a little about the basic design, and this applies to a number of different manufacturers, is that the mounting system doesn't appear to allow for any chassis flex. I am assuming the tray bolts up hard to the truck chassis. Have you seen any stress issues after lots of rough off pavement driving?
Do you miss the extra wheel travel that would have occurred if the frame could twist? The other side of the coin - does the mount system improve highway ride?
Having seen an EarthRoamer mounting system up close at their factory, and having seen a video of one flexing off pavement, this is a major concern for me and possibly a deal breaker. I am the first to admit that I am no engineer and I don't know very much about the technical details, nor have I read all the special build threads at Expedition Portal that talk about flex and mounts and articulation. Can anyone fully enlighten me? My main worry is about possible major stress failures of both tray and camper many years from now.... I own a welded aluminum utility trailer and know well how rigid the structure is - but it won't flex if severely overloaded. It will crack!
Finally, I would really like to watch a video showing the loading and unloading of the camper on the tray by an individual owner, not a gang of pros at the factory. If I bought an XPCamper, I would need to be able to easily unload it onto a wheeled dolly and push it back into my garage either by hand or by using a tongue and coupler, and ball mount and the truck.....
I'm going to crawl all over an XPCamper at OE, but I want to know NOW!
Thanks for any and all technical advice.
John Davies
Spokane WA
